What’s the first thing we learn as children? Our ABC’s. So, we thought it would be a fun idea to do the ABC’s of keto! This blog series looks at some of the main ideas and the not-so-main ideas of keto as we work our way through the alphabet. Today’s blog is W: Way of Eating (or WOE diet). Is it the same as a keto diet? How is it the same, and how is it different?
What is the Way of Eating Diet?
Way of eating emphasizes eating whole, unprocessed food. It focuses on eating healthy fats, a moderate amount of protein, and limits carb intake. Each meal is ideally made up of protein, carbs, vegetables (over and above the other carbs), and healthy fats. When you follow the WOE diet, you eat nutrient-rich meals. It doesn’t focus on counting calories.
WOE is a lifestyle, not a diet. It’s all about feeding your body what it needs and doing so in an ethical and sustainable way. Really, it’s more of a philosophy than a diet. It’s meant to be the way you eat for the rest of your life rather than a diet to lose weight.
The Basics of the Way of Eating Diet
First and foremost, the WOE diet is about balance and variety. Like I mentioned above, ideally every meal will contain protein, carbs, vegetables, and healthy fats. Secondly, it’s meant to feed your body nutrient-dense food. One way of doing this is avoiding unhealthy fats and added sugars. Finally, the WOE diet is about putting your own stamp on the food you eat. It can be flexible to your own tastes, preferences, and ethical values you have in regard to the food you eat.
What to Eat
This diet focuses on the food’s nutrients and how it’s produced. The produce is organic. Meat and dairy are from animals that are grass fed and pastured. Seafood is wild caught only, no farmed fish or shellfish. And, you only eat whole foods. Things like juice, where the fiber is removed from the fruit, is not typically allowed.
How is the Way of Eating Diet Different From Keto?
Way of eating does not focus on specific macro counts or calories. While keto ensures your carbs are low enough to put your body into ketosis (using fat for energy rather than carbs) it is not a necessity on the WOE diet. Therefore, you can eat carbs like potatoes and apples – healthy carbs that are over the typical allotment for keto.
People who do strict keto are more similar to WOE. But, keto does allow for some artificial sweeteners and packaged foods, whereas WOE does not. WOE also focuses more on organic and sustainable foods. Keto doesn’t really care if you eat sustainable food or organic food, just that you keep your carbs lower than 20 – 50 grams of carbs a day. Also, technically with WOE, you would not be able to eat bacon. No bacon? Keto people would revolt!
It’s Not a Diet
One of the similarities between WOE and keto is that neither are only to lose weight. Weight loss is a benefit of both, but neither should be considered diets. I did a blog on how keto is a lifestyle, not a diet. Both make you feel better and have energy to enjoy life. Both are lifelong commitments.
Health professionals will tell you that having a set way of eating is not sustainable. I argue that trying to eat in moderation is not sustainable for me. Now, there are times I go from strict keto to lazy keto, but my body remains in ketosis and while I may gain a pound or two, overall I still feel good. WOE has the same principles of being about health and wellness.
Wendy
